South Africa, West Indies kicked aside as Brad Hogg names T20 World Cup 2024 finalists

Former Australian left-arm spinner Brad Hogg made a bold prediction about the two finalists of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Brad Hogg predicted that the Australia team and the India team would reach the final match of the ICC tournament in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

India has advanced to the Super 8 stage of the tournament after registering three consecutive victories. The Rohit Sharma-led team defeated Ireland in their World Cup opener before beating Pakistan and the United States of America. The Indian team is currently at the top of the Group A table with six points.

Australia, on the other hand, also advanced to the next stage of the tournament after registering a victory against Namibia. The Mitchell Marsh-led team is unbeaten in the first three matches so far. They will face Scotland in their final group-stage match at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Monday, June 15.

India and Australia are placed in the same group in the Super 8 stage of the marquee tournament. The Rohit Sharma-led team will lock horns with the Australia team at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Monday, June 24. Afghanistan and either Bangladesh or Nepal will join the teams in Super 8s Group 1.

I'd Absolutely Love To Happen - Brad Hogg

Speaking on Star Sports, Brad Hogg predicted that Australia and India would finish in the top two spots in their Super 8 group. Hogg predicted that a potential clash between Australia and India in the final would be a big stage.

“In the Super 8s, Australia and India have got Bangladesh (yet to qualify) and Afghanistan and you expect both teams to beat Afghanistan and Bangladesh and move through to the semi-finals, hopefully, that does happen. It sets it up for the possibility of Australia and India in a grand final which I’d absolutely love to happen,” said Hogg on Star Sports.

The Adjustment Is Huge Down There - Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg picked Australia as the stronger team for their upcoming Super Eight clash due to their experience playing in challenging conditions in the West Indies. The 53-year-old stated that the contest will be more evenly matched if India and Australia meet again in the final.

“But I think that first game between Australia and India in the super eights, the advantage would have to be to Australia because they’ve been playing in the West Indies where it’s been difficult, it’s been slow. Whereas the Indian team has been playing in New York where there’s been some seam movement, the batters haven’t been able to get their rhythm and also they’re coming from IPL where they were playing on a lot of flat wickets,” said Hogg.

“So the adjustment is huge down there, that short turnaround, I think it’s going to be tough for India in the Super Eights. But it will be a different story when they get to the final, the contest will be a lot more even there because India would’ve been used to the conditions,” he added.

The Australia team is scheduled to play all their group stage matches in the Caribbean Islands, where the Super 8 matches and knockout games will be played. The Rohit Sharma-led team is scheduled to play all four matches in the United States of America.

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